The Cosmos was one of Cooler Master's largest and most popular cases. Debuting in 2007, the 25" tall behemoth was received warmly by PC enthusiasts and gamers with deep pockets and ample floor space. To ring in the new year, Cooler Master has released the sequel, the even bigger Cosmos II with an an initial MSRP of US$349. Yes, many would consider this an absurd amount, but the Cosmos II is a premium product reserved for those who want the best of everything  build quality, space, features, and ease of use. We recently reviewed a budget tower, the disappointing Raidmax Viper; Now let's see what you can get for five times the price.

The box.

Obvious shipping damage.

Given the cost and size for the case, Cooler Master felt it necessary to wrap the box with additional cardboard but it proved to be futile in the end. The dimensions and weight of the package proved to be an obstacle for the courier, with one corner of the box taking a noticeable beating, bending inauspiciously inward. Upon inspection we found some damage but it was mostly at the bottom of the case where it would not affect its aesthetics and/or thermal/acoustic performance.

The Cosmos II.

The Cosmos II is simply put, a world-eater, larger in every respect than any case we've tested previously, occupying some 157 litres of space. Standing 27.7" inches tall, it towers over the Antec Twelve Hundred by almost 5 inches, its 13.5" waistline spans 4 inches wider than the In Win Dragon Rider, and its 26.1" depth edges out the SilverStone Raven Two by 3/4 of an inch. The exterior is a mix of a aluminum, plastic, and mesh, but the steel interior is what constitutes most of the Cosmos II's 47 lb bulk. With the case being both supremely massive and heavy, the handle bars at the top are actually a necessary feature as it would be incredibly difficult to lift otherwise.

Accessories.

The included accessories are a bit on a sparse side for an expensive, premium case. It ships with an 8-pin extension cable, PC speaker, radiator mounting brackets, keys for a pair of hotswappable external SATA bays, screws, and cable ties.